It seems that the most powerful way to connect to another person is to listen. The most important thing we can give one another is attention. Particularly, when its given from the heart. When we are talking to someone, theres no need to do anything other than to receive them. Listen to what theyre saying. Care about it. Most of the times, caring about it has more significance than understanding it. We have to believe in the power of simple saying, "Im so sorry," when someone is in pain, and meaning it. 

One a patient told her doctor that when she tried to narrate her story, people would often interrupt to tell that something just like that had happened to them as well. Her pain became a story about themselves. Gradually, she stopped talking to most people. It became lonely. 

People connect through listening. When we interrupt someone to let them know that we understand, we tend to move the focus of attention to ourselves. When we listen, they get the feeling that we care.  

We must learn to respond to someone crying by just listening. Passing a tissue to someone crying might be perceived as a way to shut them down. Just listen. When they have cried, they will find you there with them. 

A loving silence has a greater power to heal and to connect than words spoken with the best intentions.